Shanty Pete's 1st Mate
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Posts posted by Shanty Pete's 1st Mate
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20 hours ago, Jotari said:
The only real opportunity for Dein blood would be Sharlow or Hannibal. And, honestly, I would say why not both? Hannibal is a prominent noble, he could be a distant relation to the royal family. And if he has holy blood then we don't need a random bossman to exposit that he's the adopted father of Coirpre, that could just be obvious from the interface.
It's pretty funny to me that this would make a good deal of sense in-lore, and also have next-to-no gameplay impact. Hannibal can alreasy use A-rank Lances, while Charlot can never use Lances. All it offers them is +20% HP and +30% Speed. Which is... not the worst. Funny to think of a 40% Speed growth Hannibal.
20 hours ago, Jotari said:This is golden. Only, I don't think Ethnia needs to be ruling Leinster at any point. She can just be a royal family member who is just there and assassinated for who her name is rather than anything she's actually doing, like the Mountbatten assassination. That makes it a much messier and Ethia a more morally grey target rather than her being, well, their actual occupier whose just not competent at oppression.
Thanks! And well, that's one way to do it, too. Still, I think an Ethnia who manages an occupation, but tries to be nice about, could be morally gray. That's basically what Sigurd was doing offscreen in Augustria, and people don't tend to think of him as any morally worse than "light gray".
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11 hours ago, ping said:
(If a Genealogy remake includes an avatar that partakes in the eugenics program, that will be a very questionable game)
...Okay, but like, Dew doesn't necessarily get married. It's a lover system, not a "put-a-ring-on-it" system. They don't have to tie the knot, they just gotta smush.
...I dunno if that makes things better, or worse. I swear it's just about the Bargain skill, officer-
11 hours ago, ping said:
: "Kyaaaaa! You're Lord Seliph! Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh!"
Every time I read this particular scream, I swear, five minutes gets taken off of my life.
11 hours ago, ping said:(and this second Brave Sword honestly is a pretty good argument for Holyn!Patty).
A shame that Patty doesn't start with the Brave Sword in her inventory, then give it to Seliph via the conversation. That way, players with Chulainn!Patty could let her keep her mouth shut, and keep the Brave Sword in her inventory.
Anyway, lame-ass take, but you could just keep one Brave Sword in the home castle. It's usually the best weapon for Sword users to clear the Arena, so being able to buy it, and sell it back, is invaluable. Especially for units who aren't able to Arena at the very start of the map. That said, in the field, Leif is great with it. Honestly Oifey too, if it ever feels like he's falling behind.
11 hours ago, ping said:
: "You all see my sword, correct? I trust I need not introduce the demon blade. Beware, for Mysteltainn craves the blood of men! Who dares to come forth and slake its thirst?"
I love how Ares is almost trying too hard to be edgy. He's coming across as a goofy, overenthusiastic LARPer.
...Admittedly, he's a touch more lethal than most LARPers. Not all. But most.
11 hours ago, ping said:Note how one Knight and one Mage decide to move up on the left side of the cliff - quite nice, since it reduces the number of enemies I actually need to fight.
The cliff is actually a neat element, as you can send a smaller squad over on that side to take on just a few of them. Didn't know it would still happen if nobody was up the cliff. Not very clever mode of them.
11 hours ago, ping said:With that, the enemies are out of Ishtore's Bolting range, so clean-up time it is:
Not very clever mode of them.
11 hours ago, ping said:
: "You... You vermin! How dare you slaughter Liza like that! You'll have no mercy!"
It's a neat detail that Ishtore's battle (and death) quote change depending on whether or not you killed Liza before facing him. He's obviously not much of a character, given how little time he has spent on-screen, but he seems to work decently well for what he's supposed to do.
It's a neat aspect, but I don't know if I've ever seen his "Liza is alive" dialogue. Maybe on the Bolting, but never at his death. Maybe if I brought Silence Julia, just to flex.
15 hours ago, Saint Rubenio said:The game where two of the characters are childhood friends, and the other is just some rando they barely know that has no story relevance whatsoever. Genius!
The point was, the 3H Lords became friends at the Academy. Sort of. Not really. Their only "bonding" happened in the Prologue, and then the DLC.
12 hours ago, ping said:
: "Heh heh... Oh, nothing. Well, 'cept that I bet Bramsel's right about to..."
Jabarro, you idiot. You just had to keep your mouth shut, and Ares would still be on your side.
Actually, you could've done one better, and let Leailyiea accompany you on your mission. There, now you've got a Cavalier with a legendary weapon, and a quad-target Dancer. Seliph's story ends here.
12 hours ago, ping said:
: "I still doubt that Prince Ishtore or his general were truly wicked people... Must we kill still more like them?"
: "That may be so, but don't forget they still actively served the will of a brutal tyrant. As far as our cause is concerned, there is no doubt. They were the enemy. This is war, Seliph. There's more to it than only fighting the thoroughly evil, or those whom we hate."
Love the fact that this dialogue comes immediately before the opportunity to recruit Tinne. You know, the enemy who is serving the will of a brutal tyrant? Stay golden, jerkass Lewyn.
12 hours ago, ping said:She'll be able to get through the arena with Wrath abuse, she'll deal good damage because she targets Res, but I don't know how much of an impact she's going to have.
Kid named B Staves upon promotion:
15 hours ago, Saint Rubenio said:Them and half the cast besides. It's just a really popular style in Jugdral.
True enough. Big hair was big back in the day. Where would Sigurd be, without his pompadour?
12 hours ago, ping said:Probably to emphasize the diphthong that the name (レイリア - looks like four syllables to me) has. "Laylea" looks more like Lay-Lee than Lay-Lee-Uh to me.
Yeah, "Leilia" is actually the most direct way to transliterate the name. In the same way that ランゴバルト is best written as "Rangobaruto". Rolls off the tongue, really!
I've always assumed the name to be homophonous with "Leila" or "Layla", but perhaps that wasn't the intention? No idea.
12 hours ago, ping said:Hot Take: Throw out, or rather significantly rework, all of the "attack again" skills, including Pursuit. In every FE game, I think it's a design flaw that a single point of Spd can double a character's damage output (or losing -1 Spd having a character's survivability, although that's a rarer scenario). But the fanbase would probably be revolting even more if such a classic mechanic would be removed or at least nerfed significantly.
Hm... how would it work? A "chance-based" follow-up, that increases with Speed margin? A guaranteed follow-up, but whose damage increases based on the margin? Limiting the ability to follow-up to player phase? There are some neat possibilities there, but personally, I'm a fan of the existing systems.
As for the fanbase being revolting... we already are! I try lighting a candle to mask it.
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19 hours ago, Dark Holy Elf said:
Out of curiosity, why do we know this? Has Sakurai or other major developers actually stated this? Because my kneejerk is the opposite; Nintendo knows "everyone is here" was a huge success. We've never had a Smash roster with significant cuts before and if I were a video game producer I'd be terrified at the potential backlash of such a move, so by default I'd assume almost everyone comes back except any third-party characters for whom permissions get withdrawn and maybe a small handful of less-popular characters particularly clones (which mostly explains the few cuts from Brawl to Smash 4, for instance).
I think the anxiety over the next game being "Smash Ultimate, But More" is... people might not buy it. "Why would I buy this new one, when it doesn't do much better or different from the last one, which is still perfectly playable?" Something along those lines. In this paradigm, Smash 6 needs to do something fundamentally different, and never-before-seen in the series, to justify its existence. If putting resources into this new playstyle means fewer characters, then so be it.
Of course, another way of looking at it is "Smash will do as well as whichever console its on". Smash Ultimate wasn't a success because "everyone is here", but rather, because it's on the Switch - a successful console. The next game could expand the cast, or cut it, amd it wouldn't make much difference. It would succeed - or fail - alongside the Switch's successor.
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Never got back to this, so-
On 3/4/2024 at 10:42 PM, Jotari said:There is temptation to make others minor blood characters for similar reasons, but I'd like to hold back a bit because I feel the subs should be part of the ordinary gang.
I broadly agree, with one caveat - it'd be nice to get someone with Dainn blood. It's the only Holy Blood type that's totally unusable in the main campaign. Of course, if Arion were made playable in the final chapter, then this would become a non-issue.
On 3/4/2024 at 10:42 PM, Jotari said:like it, I like it a lot. So much I'll probably steal it and put it in the OP. It gives Dalvin relevance to her without making the idea redundant by having two characters with the same backstory, and make for a good Convo event and or battle Convo with Johan/Johalver where he expresses resentment and jealousy towards them.
Thanks, and go right ahead! I'm all for combining the best available ideas. Like it affecting the battle convos. Maybe give Dalvin a unique one with Dannan, too.
On 3/4/2024 at 10:42 PM, Jotari said:Deimne is actually turning out to be one of the better substitutes
Deimne moment.
Aside from the subs that people generally agree are good (Hawke, Laylea, Linda), he's probably my favorite.
On 3/4/2024 at 10:42 PM, Jotari said:Longbow Asaello would definitely work. As it is, the most distinguishing thing about the substitutes is the unique equipment they get. And longbow in Genealogy would definitely have a distinct advantage. In fact, it would immediately give him the ability to deal chip damage to Ishtar, something very valuable if you can't just immediately nuke her with Yewfelle (I think that's viable of you don't have Ares on hand).
This would be good, although A) he would probably whiff, and B) depending on how strong we make the Longbow, Ishtar might be knocked into Vantage territory. But then again, that's the Asaello experience, isn't it? Crippling disappointment.
On 3/3/2024 at 12:03 PM, Jotari said:Linda: Linda and Amid are the only subs with holy blood, and I've already eliminated Amid's connection to the Frieges and we still need someone to hate Hilda, so I don't want to take away that connection. But it's still so contrived for Tailtiu and Bloom to have this whole other sister than is just never mentioned unless Tailtiu reproduces. So it would be more trying to work Linda and her mother Ethnia in to the main continuity whether or not Tine exists. I'm not sure how exactly to directly reference them in a non subs scenario, but I think altering them to a clear cadet branch of the family rather than another sister of Bloom that has a Schrodinger's existence.
Here's the question: how do we get Linda to join our team? With Amid cut out of House Friege, there's no innate connection there.
Hm... here's a thought. Let's reverse the roles for a moment. After Reptor's demise, Bloom stayed in Grannvale, while Ethnia was sent to manage North Thracia. She wasn't ready to rule with an iron fist, however, and her naivete caused her to be assassinated by members of the resistance movement from Leonster. She was survived by her daughter, Linda.
This is where the divergence occurs: if Tailtiu survived, then Bloom already has hands full, so he sends Linda back to Friege, to disappear from relevance. But if Tailtiu died, then Bloom takes care of Linda while living at Ulster. He pities her, but also lets Hilda abuse her, in the hopes that it will "toughen her up", so that she won't meet the same fate as her mother.
Fast-forward to chapter 7. While the Mage Trio head towards Melgen to intercept Seliph and friends, Linda veers off course to target Leonster. They took her mother, so she'll take their castle. However, Finn is actually the one to come across her. He notes Linda's resemblence to her mother (knowing what she looked like when she ruled), and offers his condolences. Linda reiterates her grievances, and Finn understands them. He feels sorry for her mother: a good woman, forced into a bad situation. Not so different from Lord Sigurd. The compassion that Ethnia offerred, though, is nowhere to be seen in House Friege's continuing occupation. This shakes Linda's resolve, and she comes to think that ending the occupation, moreso than sacking Leonster, would honor her mother's memory. Time to turn blue, baybee!
On 3/3/2024 at 12:03 PM, Jotari said:Deimne and Muirne: These two were the hardest to come up with something for, as they really have the least to work with. So, instead, they're going to facilitate the existence of another character, Adean. Because Adean survives the Belhalla massacre. Lester and Lana talk about her, we just never see her. She just devalues the tragedy by being confirmed alive without actually doing anything with the character, the worst of both worlds. Well, now we see an older Adean. She appears at the start of Gen II running the orphanage that the characters grew up and shelters them in Tir Na Nog. I don't have anything grand or specific for her to do, but she's there and her fans can rejoice. But, if she was killed or childless in Gen 1, then Demine and Muirne have a different parental figure running the orphanage. And old man for maximum variety.
Hey, I'm fine with whatever. So long as it fits with the existing canon, wherein Deimne and Muirne are from the capital of Isaach. Ooh, here's an idea: Deimne and Muirne are orphans, and the old man is their grandpa. They return to Tirnanog, shortly after their mother's death, because it's where she grew up. The old man is already running the orphanage, and that's how they meet Seliph, and get immersed into the Liberation Army.
Heck, the old man could even exist if Edain survives to Gen II. He already has the orphanage, and Edain just helps him run it. And if Edain were to become one of Seliph's advisors, then she could up and leave without truly abandoning the orphans.
On 3/3/2024 at 12:03 PM, Jotari said:Hawk: We still need a freedom fighter leader for Munster so Hawk still fullfills that role, the main thing would be changing his origin. Let's make him specifically from Miletos, since that region gets so little development. He's ended up in Munster trying to stop the child hunts at their source. If Ced exists then Hawk is the random NPC villager Ced talks to in his first scene showing us he still exists and is fighting, just as an offscreen character.
Oh, just wanted to say, I like this too. Maybe Hawk could have conversations with some of the bosses there? Or, even move his secret event to a village or castle in Miletos? As it stands, it happens in the Kingdom of Thracia, but not for any particular reason. It'd work a lot better if - like Deimne - he were reuniting with a past acquaintance.
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40 minutes ago, Jotari said:
might be over selling Shannan a bit there, Mjolnir's crazy accuracy is a pretty good counter to Shannan as a hardboss hard counter, but he can still be one of your best tools against them and a secure, if not guaranteed, method of taking them out, especially if you can get another character to survive Ishtar's counter attack to deal chip damage to her (shame Asaello doesn't have that longbow you suggested) as, looking at the stats, Shannan is only 4 might short of one shotting Ishtar. I guess I should say that it's Ares and Shannan together that are your solution to the powerful enemies the game throws at you.
Oh yeah, I would agree with the notion that Shannan is a great candidate for landing the finishing blow on these bosses. Moreso Ishtar, as in the case of Bloom, Pavise can just ruin your day. ...But Ishtar has Vantage, so-
Hm... if he's really just 4 Strength short of a one-shot, then maybe Power Ring Shannan is the answer? Alternatively, with 1 Strength level, he can beat her with the Brave Sword. But Balmung's effective 110 Hit rate is better than Brave Sword's 100 (which needs to land twice), especially against a dodgy enemy such as Ishtar.
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12 hours ago, ping said:
Since Quan and Sigurd (and Eldigan) are portrayed as going way back, I always assumed that Ethlyn and Quan met each other via Sigurd. Especially because Ethlyn's portrait looks younger than Sigurd's, too, although I'm not sure if the game explicitly established who was the older sibling.
If I recall, Kaga (or someone else working on FE4) had envisioned that Sigurd, Eldigan, and Quan all attended an academy together. This would later provide inspiration for the central conceit of Three Houses. That said, I don't know if they were intended to have met there, or if they were friends beforehand. Perhaps Quan would've met Sigurd (and Ethlyn) if King Calf and Lord Byron ever had a summit or conference together.
And yeah, I do believe that Ethlyn is the younger of the two siblings, although I'm not sure if this is ever stated within the game itself. In any case, it makes her marriage to Quan feel... a little bit weird? Like, was she getting wedded off at age 16 or something? Not like that's unheard of for ersatz Medieval Europe, but still.
12 hours ago, ping said:
: "Sir Finn, you say... You're eager to have the chance to see her again, aren't you?"
...This reminded me that we really were due a Finn-Oifey conversation. They're barely apart in age, and probably are the closest to Sigurd, Quan, and Ethlyn, out of anyone still surviving.
12 hours ago, ping said:And while everybody else moves southwest and murders Dark Mages, Seliph and Fee go straight west to help out Shanan (Fee) or arrive when everybody has done their thing and seize the abandoned castle (Seliph). Lana also follows then around, unfortunately with all the desert slowdown that magic units will be free of in future entries, to Physic people if necessary. Julia can handle healing duties for the main group on her own without problem.
It's a right shame. Infantry Mages and Clerics already tend to have lower movement than their physical counterparts, so letting them move readily over sand would make up for it a bit. And it's not like it'd be overpowered - it'd only make a difference in a portion of two chapters.
10 hours ago, Jotari said:Even without Forseti Arthur, Shannan makes pretty short work of Ishtore....and Bloom...and Ishtar... yeah, Shannan is OP for a reason, there are some really obnoxious bosses coming up that he is the designated counter for in case you ugenicsed wrong.
Uh, what? Blume with Mjolnir one-shots Shannan. Same with Ishtar. Sure, you can send him against them, and hope he Adepts, Astras, or Dodges, but it's not exactly guaranteed. Especially in light of their high Hit rates (+20 skill and Authority). He's not the answer for them that, say, Demon-sword McCavalier is.
12 hours ago, ping said:: "Leylia... I understand. I'll have to think it over for a time, but I do understand..."
Wait, THAT's how Project Naga spells the substitute Dancer's name? What a tragedeigh...
12 hours ago, ping said:Next turn, the cavalry arrives, and introduces itself with a crit. Turns out, the kill that Seliph set up for Fee earlier brought the Brave Lance to 50 kills! #TotallyPlannedISwear
Ooh, that's gonna be one of the best weapons in the game. Anyone with B-Lances will have a near-instant "win" ticket at the Arena. ...With enough patience, at least.
12 hours ago, ping said:Jormungand isn't exactly a light tome
Nope, it's a Dark tome.
12 hours ago, ping said:Overall, because Shanan has no way to heal himself until Lana slowly waddles close enough to use Physic on him, I found this part of the fight too "swingy" to be actually good. He's either lucky and keeps dodging the incoming 16%s, or he gets hit once and has to choose between running away or constant fear of death. My initial impression is that this would've worked better if Genealogy had Elixirs or some other strong, but expensive self-healing (with a nearby church maybe being too cheap). Gambling high-value items, or a decent chunk of money, in order to kill Ctuzof would've been fine, but I feel like this would've been a really annoying part of the map if Shanan hadn't been so lucky.
Truthfully, I actually like the idea of a Church... in the middle of the desert... not far from the Yied Shrine. A shining endorsement of religious toleration and pluralism.
And thinking on it, the utter lack of healing items probably makes Genealogy one of the games where healing staves, in particular, are relatively more important. As easy as the Prologue is, I shudder to think of doing it without Ethlyn.
12 hours ago, ping said:
: "Heh, not bad at all, Seliph! I've waited so long for this day... We all have, really."
: "Thank you, Shanan!"
Totally unrelated to what you were saying, but I just noticed that these two have practically the same haircut. Maybe Shannan has been the one cutting Seliph's hair? Alternatively, Oifey's been on haircut duty, but he only knows one way of styling it.
12 hours ago, ping said:She notably has four Authority stars, one more than her boss, even.
The "Authority" rating tends to confuse me, honestly. You'd imagine that the leader of a country would have higher "Authority" than any of their underlings. But then again, Eldigan had 5 stars, whereas Chagall had... fewer than that. In this case, I think that the previous translation - "Leadership" - might actually be a better one. An underling can actually have leadership skills superior to their Lord, even if that doesn't mean they have the same degree of authority.
12 hours ago, Saint Rubenio said:Pffft. She's gonna wish she was Shannan's drinking water next?
Patty sets up a side hustle, selling "Sword Prince Bath Water" through the black market.
12 hours ago, Saint Rubenio said:Also interesting is how this guy is a recolor of Actually Interesting And Nuanced Bossman Clement. And he's, uh... let's just say, one of the least nuanced bossmen in the game. Funny how that works.
I could forgive all that, if they didn't make him another boring general. He's not wearing armor, but a robe. Making him a Bishop, or maybe a High Priest, would be much more suitable, in my opinion. Especially if he's supposed to be in charge of the "holy city of Darna".
11 hours ago, Saint Rubenio said:Hannibal has a personality. It's called beard. How dare you imply otherwise.
Speaking of "beard", something looks off... Hm...
...Oh, that's it! You've got a tan now! Had a nice vacation, I take it?
7 hours ago, ping said:Still, I don't find that it's good game design to give Adept, Crit, or Accost to enemies that already two-shot basically (if not literally) every unit you have.
I think it'd be fine... IF there were a way to mitigate those skills. Something like "Adept always activates, but only on the first hit, and only if the attacker's AS is at least equal to that of the target." That way, your speedier units would be immune to Ishtore Adepting on Thoron, while only the slowest would be at risk of a Bolting Adept. Also, the obvious "let Luck function as Crit Avoid". At the very least, Nihil nullifies that one. Also also, as for Accost... maybe just get rid of it? It's one of those "hurts as often as it helps" skills, that even in the best case, reduces a unit's reliability. And it has no effect in the Arena, which is essentially "infinite Accost".
5 hours ago, ping said:or Tristan and Dalvin having a little crisis together (TL;DR: "Oh my god we both suck so much") in this chapter if both of them are below Lv.10.
That's a pretty funny one, but in a weird way, it almost makes them worse. Like, I feel like I need to "hold back" on using them in the earlygame, rather than letting them fight when they may be at their most useful. Before the enemy power levels ramp up and they sorta-kinda fall behind.
11 hours ago, Jotari said:Ha. Pretending like any of the Gen 2 cast have actual personalities.
Hey now, Demonsword McCavalier has a personality! "What if Navarre... had a horse?"
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Really wasn't expecting Einherjar L'Arachel to drop an f-bomb. But I guess that, along with the realistic starvation and sanity mechanics, represents the grittier, more mature orientation of Nintendo's next console.
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I'd rather not see any more "world-hopping", please and thank you. Let Elibe be Elibe, Magvel be Magvel, so on and so forth. Give me characters who are actually tied to the land, and whose personal histories actually shed light on the world they inhabit.
On 3/19/2024 at 1:24 AM, AzureEmperor said:I've been thinking the same thing about Anna and Jake for ages! Just have the two of them show up on a random map saying they're traveling during their honeymoon would be really cute and silly, they could also just have it be a different version of the two every time since there are infinite Annas anyway.
Jake is one of the few I'm happy to see return, alongside Anna. Although, in that case, it's not "world-hopping", so much as "different characters who just so happen to share a name and a face."
On 3/19/2024 at 1:41 AM, Jotari said:No. Bring back the Chameleon class. It's loads of fun.
Totally unrelated, but... yeah, do this as well. A real shame it was only around once... well, twice... well, four times.
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Here's what I'm thinking. Maybe I missed one or two. I grouped them by some shared attribute. Falling in a lower group doesn't always mean lower chances than one in a higher group - i.e. I could think a character in the (>20%) group has a 36% chance, while one in the (>30%) group has a 32% chance. So it's a rough sort.
The Original Twelve - These ones are pretty much guaranteed at this point (>90% each), having appeared in every game since the start. They are:
Spoiler- Mario
- Link
- Fox
- Samus
- Donkey Kong
- Yoshi
- Pikachu
- Kirby
- Luigi
- Ness
- Jigglypuff
- Captain Falcon
The Regulars - Fighters introduced in Melee who have been around ever since. I see them as nearly a sure-thing (all >80% each), if not as certain as the Original Twelve.
Spoiler- Peach
- Bowser
- Zelda
- Sheikh
- Ganondorf
- Marth
- Falco
- Mr. Game & Watch
Modern Icons - Fighters who first showed up in Brawl or later, but have gained fame as symbols of present-day major Nintendo franchises. I think they're all (>70%).
Spoiler- Inkling
- Villager
- Olimar
- Robin
- Shulk
- Pit
- Wario
Likely Third-Partiers - Fighters who are third-party, but have enough notoriety, or Nintendo-specific history, to give them all good (>60%) chances.
Spoiler- Pac-Man
- Sonic
- Mega Man
- Bayonetta
- Ryu
- Hero
- Steve/Alex
Coin Flips - First-party characters with some Smash history - or recent-joiners who were long-requested - but in a tenuous spot. I'm thinking (>50%) apiece.
Spoiler- Meta Knight
- King Dedede
- Ice Climbers
- Mewtwo
- Roy
- Toon Link
- Lucario
- R.O.B
- Diddy Kong
- Zero Suit Samus
- Pokemon Trainer
- Ike
- Rosalina & Luma
- Wii Fit Trainer
- Mii Fighters
- Little Mac
- Greninja
- Palutena
- King K. Rool
- Ridley
Clones with a Chance - They are (or were) clones, but for various reasons, I think they could make it. Let's say (>40%) each.
Spoiler- Lucina
- Dr. Mario
- Daisy
- Dark Pit
- Ken
Flash in the Pan - Once (or twice) Fighters who aren't likely to become anything recurring. I think they're around (>30%) each.
Spoiler- Wolf
- Corrin
- Incineroar
- Piranha Plant
- Min-Min
- Pyra & Mythra
- Byleth
- Duck Hunt Duo
- Bowser Jr.
- Isabelle
Less-Likely Third Partiers - I don't think most of these are coming back. Let's give them (>20%) each.
Spoiler- Simon
- Cloud
- Sephiroth
- Sora
- Kazuya
- Joker
- Banjo & Kazooie
- Terry
- Snake
- Simon
Clones with No Chance - Some clones, I think, are very likely gone. I'm saying (>10%) each.
Spoiler- Pichu
- Dark Samus
- Richter
- Chrom
- Young Link
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Alright, I never gave an answer. I'll be ordering them by game, with the games ordered by whenever they came out. If I don't list a game for a certain character, it's because they share the title of the previous entry. Using bold for any newcomer, and italics for any third-party characters. Anyway, here goes:
Spoiler- Link (Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild)
- Princess Zelda
- Shovel Knight (Shovel Knight)
- Steve/Alex (Minecraft)
- Min-Min (Arms)
- Inkling (Splatoon 2)
- Agent 8
- Sonic (Sonic Mania)
- Mario (Super Mario Odyssey)
- Bowser
- Pyra & Mythra (Xenoblade Chronicles 2)
- Madeline (Celeste)
- Bayonetta (Bayonetta 2)
- Kirby (Kirby Star Allies)
- King Dedede
- Donkey Kong (Donkey Kong: Tropical Freeze)
- H'aanit (Octopath Traveler)
- Pikachu (Pokemon: Let's Go, Pikachu)
- L-Block (Tetris 99)
- Yoshi (Yoshi's Crafted World)
- Cuphead (Cuphead)
- Edelgard (Fire Emblem: Three Houses)
- Dimitri
- Claude
- Howard Twins (Astral Chain)
- Ring Fit Trainee (Ring Fit Adventure)
- Luigi (Luigi's Mansion 3)
- Cinderace (Pokemon Sword & Shield)
- Isabelle (Animal Crossing: New Horizons)
- Tom Nook
- King Olly (Paper Mario: The Origami King)
- Crewmate (Among Us)
- Bowser Jr. (Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury)
- Hinoa/Minoto (Monster Hunter: Rise)
- Dark Lord (Miitopia)
- Wario (WarioWare: Get it Together!)
- Samus (Metroid Dread)
- Watermelon (Suika Game)
- Hisuian Decidueye (Pokemon Legends Arceus)
- Sportsmates (Nintendo Switch Sports)
- Noah (Xenoblade Chronicles 3)
- Deep Cut (Splatoon 3)
- Rabbid Rosalina (Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope)
- Quaquaval (Pokemon Scarlet & Violet)
- Marth (Fire Emblem Engage)
- Ganondorf (Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom)
- Oatchi (Pikmin 4)
- Captain Falcon (F-Zero 99)
- Piranha Plant (Super Mario Bros Wonder)
- Peach (Princess Peach: Showtime)
Mostly newcomers here. Fewer than half of them have a presence in any previous Super Smash Bros games. Only about 10 or so are third-party, but then again, there are some that may be third-party without me realizing it. In any case, let me know what you think!
EDIT: The original returning/newcomer split was 22/28, so I actually subbed some out to make it a perfect 25/25. Rest in peace: Rex, Twintelle, and the Piano from Clubhouse Games. Welcome back: Pyra & Mythra, Min-Min, and Bowser Junior.
On 3/27/2024 at 9:42 AM, vanguard333 said:- Link (Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild)
- Princess Zelda
- Shovel Knight (Shovel Knight)
- Steve/Alex (Minecraft)
- Twintelle (Arms)
- Inkling (Splatoon 2)
- Agent 8
- Sonic (Sonic Mania)
- Mario (Super Mario Odyssey)
- Bowser
- Rex (Xenoblade Chronicles 2)
- Madeline (Celeste)
- Bayonetta (Bayonetta 2)
- Kirby (Kirby Star Allies)
- King Dedede
- Donkey Kong (Donkey Kong: Tropical Freeze)
- H'aanit (Octopath Traveler)
- Pikachu (Pokemon: Let's Go, Pikachu)
- L-Block (Tetris 99)
- Yoshi (Yoshi's Crafted World)
- Cuphead (Cuphead)
- Edelgard (Fire Emblem: Three Houses)
- Dimitri
- Claude
- Howard Twins (Astral Chain)
- Ring Fit Trainee (Ring Fit Adventure)
- Luigi (Luigi's Mansion 3)
- Cinderace (Pokemon Sword & Shield)
- Isabelle (Animal Crossing: New Horizons)
- Tom Nook
- Piano (Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics)
- King Olly (Paper Mario: The Origami King)
- Crewmate (Among Us)
- Hinoa/Minoto (Monster Hunter: Rise)
- Dark Lord (Miitopia)
- Wario (WarioWare: Get it Together!)
- Samus (Metroid Dread)
- Watermelon (Suika Game)
- Hisuian Decidueye (Pokemon Legends Arceus)
- Sportsmates (Nintendo Switch Sports)
- Noah (Xenoblade Chronicles 3)
- Deep Cut (Splatoon 3)
- Rabbid Rosalina (Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope)
- Quaquaval (Pokemon Scarlet & Violet)
- Marth (Fire Emblem Engage)
- Ganondorf (Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom)
- Oatchi (Pikmin 4)
- Captain Falcon (F-Zero 99)
- Piranha Plant (Super Mario Bros Wonder)
- Peach (Princess Peach: Showtime)
Needs more Fire Emblem SMH.
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5 hours ago, ping said:
Yeah, I remember reading about Vantage/Sleep Sword starts in the First Mate's Matrimonial Mondays; specifically about Lex!Patty.
I experimented with the weapon-swap in the hope that you can swap away from the Miracle Sword and keep the bonus. Unfortunately not the case, be it because canceling and continuing counts as restarting the fight (in which case Miracle doesn't work in the arena, after all) or because the avoid bonus is actually tied to having the skill active (as it should, but it was worth a try).
Ah, I always knew that thread would get me somewhere in life.
You can actually do the reverse strat in the Arena. Start out with a cheaper weapon, then switch to the Miracle Sword once you get in-range. That way, you're not burning through as many uses. And with the Shield/Barrier Sword, you can set up Miracle strats that wouldn't otherwise be possible.
14 minutes ago, Jotari said:You're missing Camus and Nyna, the most plot relevant romance. There's also Samson and Sheena, and Abel and Est.
Astram/Midia, anyone? It was a whole-ass archetype! ...That only came back, like, one time, but still.
16 minutes ago, Jotari said:I'm pretty sure Leinster only has an armoury, even if the enemy takes it and you turn it into a proper blue castle. Can you genuinely return warp all three of Leif's gang to Seliph and mess up the continuity?
Yes, and yes. I've done it before. Once you've killed all the bandits, there's not much motivation to stick around. Plus, letting Leinster turn red means Seliph can turn it blue, for an extra 1K all around.
Anyone who expected the amenities of Castle Nordion is in for a real let-down. Forge or get out.
54 minutes ago, Interdimensional Observer said:...Just ignore Dew.
"I swear, officer, I just really wanted my kids to be able to buy everything at-cost! If there's any criminal here, it's that greedy pawn shop owner."
3 hours ago, RPGuy96 said:Presumably this is supposed to be Kutuzov (Кутузов in Russian), who was a real life Russian general in the Napoleonic Wars, and a reasonably important character in Tolstoy's War and Peace. It's maybe a bit of a stretch - and 130 years before most of Kaga's historical references - but guess who shows up in the arena:
Explains why Lewyn shows up to tell Seliph that "The Kingdom of Naga was within you, all along."
4 hours ago, Saint Rubenio said:Hey, guess what, it's time for the same joke I make every time there's one of these screenshots.
...To be fair, Ishtore isn't particularly ugly. He could kiiiinda pass off as a playable. Except he's instead probably the most forgettable asshole that gen 2 pretends is kind of important. Wah wah.
Ishtore only exists to
SpoilerDie, and for his death to motivate the women around him. ...Wait, did Kaga just invert a recurring sexist trope there?
Aida totally looks playable here, if not for the fact that she shares a mug with Liza in Gen I. Still, she's not ugly or cruel-looking, just serious. At worst, stern.
7 hours ago, ping said:I will not stand for your Ethlyn erasure, by the way, Leif.
There is a "chicken-and-egg" question here. Did Ethlyn fall in love with Quan via his close friendship with Sigurd? Or did Quan and Sigurd become close friends following his romantic relationship with Ethlyn?
Either way, yeah, it's weird that he doesn't refer to Sigurd as his "Uncle", or "Mother's Brother". Just "Dad's old war buddy". Like, you share a holy blood type with this man, Leif.
19 hours ago, ping said:That does make sense, and is a much more flexible approach to relieving Ulster of the burden of too much money than my initial Ulster/Lana idea.
It's interesting that Ulster has no "love base" with anybody, nor any conversations giving love points. Poor guy has no game. Although to be fair, pairings with non-zero love base seem less common in the second generation just in general.
Oh yeah, I kinda missed your Ulster/Lana idea. Not a bad idea either!
As for the zero love bases in Gen II, I see it as a combination of the pairable units showing up earlier, and the fact that the pairings don't matter as much. You're not screwing yourself out of getting great units in Gen III, because that generation doesn't exist.
7 hours ago, ping said:Shanan's stats are honestly not as impressive as I expected them to be. They're very good, of course, but I was expecting him to be more like Stefan in PoR, with OP combat and only held back by his lower movement. ...then again, I never found Stefan to be as OP as he's sometimes described either.
Honestly, the Stefan comparison is apt. Either one absolutely destroys enemies in melee combat... but their ranged options are basically nothing. Shannan's low Magic bites him here. I once saw him Astra with the Flame Sword, and he still didn't kill the enemy. Not having horses in a game with super-canto, too.
7 hours ago, ping said:On Leif's end of the long and winding road, the enemies start a bit further away than from Shanan and Patty. Hopefully, they can push out a bit and kills some Brigands - and hopefully, Fee can fly over and help them in the endeavour - but if necessary, the choke point in front of Leonster seems perfectly safe for Finn to block, with Nanna providing healing as needed. I can see how a magic sword would've come in handy for Leaf here, too.
Oh, since you'll be getting Laylea soon, make sure you don't let Leif, or anyone else, visit the village closest to Leonster Castle! That's where Laylea needs to go for the exclusive Barrier Blade.
8 hours ago, ping said:Julia would need 5 HP procs to avoid being one-shot, so she might be able to improve her odds by reaching that threshold.
"Shield Ring Julia! Shield Ring Julia!"
14 hours ago, Saint Rubenio said:You know, I never stopped to think about this, but... Considering it was the next game that established they know each other, I can't blame them for not having the conversation, but the remake has no such excuse.
Doesn't Leif lie about his identity, in their original encounter? That could lead to a rather humorous reunion. I could definitely imagine Hannibal giving "Lugh Faris" a thorough ribbing.
12 hours ago, Saint Rubenio said:For all we know Tana and Innes were raised by a gay couple and Sacred Stones is the most revolutionary game in the series.
Hell, we can't even say for sure that there's only two of them. Maybe Tana and Innes were raised by a gay throuple.
14 hours ago, Saint Rubenio said:Johan can you stop talking about Larcei for five minutes? There's more to life than her."
"Maybe to you, my dearest brother. But I live for naught but love. Perhaps this is why she thinks the world of me, while she doesn't even know your name."
"Hey, what are you two layabouts doing? Go get more children from the villages! For, uh... you know, the imperial policy!"
"Ahh, maybe I'll run into my beloved Larcei on the way... Servants, fetch my steed! We must away at once! I'm coming, my love! I'm comiiiiiing...!"
"I hate it here."
Great script!
Also, I can't help reading Johan's last line in a way that's (probably) unintended. Adds an extra larf.
12 hours ago, Interdimensional Observer said:First, the chance she might be dead is a problem. And moving her alone into the "retreat when gameplay-killed" column for Gen 1 would look weird within the context of Gen 1.
Wait, so offscreen Edain only ecists at Tirnanog if her kids also exist? ...I mean I guess that makes sense.
Anyway, much as I'm no fan of "damn, I've been defeated! I must retreat", I feel like it would make sense for Edain's character. She's not a "fight to the death" sort of person, much more concerned with helping those around her. I could see her surrendering and getting picked back up later, as can happen to Deidre or Julia. And one way or another, I feel like the Tirnanog squad need some adult accompanying them. Especially when they're taking along an undisclosed quantity of babies.
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2 hours ago, Interdimensional Observer said:
(I'd definitely want Leif in the modern entourage too. I'd like Ares in there as well because he is a Major-blooded, and then we could have Sig-Quan-Eld Jrs. as a trio. Yet Ares's inclusion would be perhaps excessive, he isn't actually important at all. And I imagine we have to find an obligatory female -or probably two since Julia eventually leaves- to throw into it, to keep it from being total holy swordfest. However, Altena is optional and late, and any other female would feel very forced.)
Wait... why not have Edain function as Seliph's advisor? She's known Sigurd for longer than anyone still living, perhaps save Oifey. And no one's clamoring for her to be playable - and thus killable - in the second generation. As it stands, she just kinda... exists offscreen... for the first five minutes of Gen II, then disappears forever. Which is a real shame. Plus, she wouldn't have the whole... thing... Lewyn has going on, that I won't get into more because spoilers. Finally, while she's likely been hardened by her years of hardship, I can't see her being Lewyn-levels of jerk-ass to Seliph.
Give us an old (not really even old, just middle-aged) lady advisor, IS!
1 hour ago, Jotari said:Damn, really? Could have sworn they had one reflecting on how much Seliph had grown. But I guess I just gaslighted myself into thinking they have one because they so obviously should.
Even if the remake is mechanically super-faithful, I'm definitely hoping for them to add more conversations. Shannan-Oifey is an obvious one, but there's also Ares-Diarmuid, Hannibal-Leif, and... uh, IDK, Hermina-Altenna? As for Gen I, the lack of Alec-Naoise is criminal. And it'd be funny to get a Jamke-Midir "jealousy" secret conversation in chapter 2, like Sylvia-Erinys have in chapter 4.
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Updated the Round 2 roster! Some of them were pretty much unchanged. Others just got a familiar face added. And others, still, were replaced wholesale. I tried my best to keep the named characters (i.e. Bandy Andy, Cleftor), as well as the enemies that are otherwise Pit-exclusive (Boomerang Bro, Lakitu), while also throwing in other enemies that aren't infinitely rematchable (Yux, Craw). But the biggest change, heavily inspired by @Lord_Brand's splendid suggestions (including terrific tattles), was bringing back the partners from Paper Mario 64. Along with a handful of other NPCs that, to me, just made sense to be there.
In any case, let me know what you think! Does it sound more fun this time? A step in the right direction? Or not what you had in mind for a second round? I've appreciated the feedback thus far. And hey, maybe I'll finally come up with a "Round 3", sooner or later.
On 3/27/2024 at 11:38 PM, Jotari said:Not an insurmountable obstacle people seem to think it is. It's not like Square Enix and Nintendo hate each other or anything. They both love money. They just need to be convinced such an appearance would directly translate to more money (which for me, it would, I wouldn't be interested in playing a Thousand Year Door remake if it's the same as the original, but fan service like this would put me over the edge and commit cash).
Yeah, I'm very anxious about a "too-faithful" remake. Like, I love this game, and I love that it's getting a remake, and I want that remake to succeed. But, can I really justify spending money on a game that's more-or-less identical to one I already own, in a perfectly playable state? And that's not mentioning, with how recently I played it, that I'm not personally itching for an immediate replay. Of course, I don't want to be overly negative. There's still potential for this release to genuinely surpass the original, and justify its own existence, without changing any of the things that people loved. It's all yet to be seen.
On 3/27/2024 at 11:38 PM, Jotari said:....All of them. Yes, even Kirby.
Especially Kirby!
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4 hours ago, ping said:
By the way, I don't really care about any gen 2 pairing, so if anybody wants a ship to set sail, feel free to make a suggestion (or more)
Seliph x Isaachian Village Maiden, Seliph x Isaachian Village Maiden!
Actual suggestion: Scatman x Patty. Since Scathach... er, Ulster... has Paragon, he'll never need to buy the Paragon Band. And with Astra, he can basically always clear the Arena, given enough tries. This means he'll have a money problem - getting too much of it, that is! Let that extra gold spill over onto your wife, dude. And by passing it to Patty, she can either use it for her own purposes, or give it to anyone needy. They don't have any conversations, which is a shame, but I think they make perfect gameplay sense together.
4 hours ago, ping said:Although all three deaths had some degree of stupidity on my part in their causality, Johan and Johalvier attacking from the west and the south is actually the trickiest part of this map.
Yep, it's actually neat, somewhat challenging design. If the brothers weren't so easily persuadable, they might have killed the nascent Liberation army, then and there.
4 hours ago, ping said:Lana's substitute, Muirne/Mana, must be one of the worst characters in the game. Lana at least has staff inheritance to give her a head start over Julia, but Muirne, whose stats already stink compared to Julia's, even gives Julia a better staff than she herself starts with.
No lies detected. Marnie is "Healer out of 10", while Lana is "Healer out of 10 but with much better Staves". Mana does have a secret event with Seliph in chapter 8, one so obscure that even the Wiki doesn't mention it. But it only gives her Luck +5 (and instant (?) marriage with Seliph), so it's not a substantial advantage over Lana.
4 hours ago, ping said:I believe their AI is to follow Seliph around? To be honest, as is the norm for green units, they're more annoying than helpful.
Their real utility is getting themselves injured, so that your healers have more opportunities to gain EXP.
4 hours ago, ping said:...yeah, if we ignore Johalvier's "since my brother talked to Larcei first, I'll have to kill 'em both" in the alternate timeline (a rather large thing to ignore, granted), he seems like a decent enough guy. Funny how one brother is very much a joke character and the other one... isn't.
I see them as the idealist and the realist. The optimist and the cynic. Johalvier comes across as moreso down-to-earth, which makes sense for a grounded unit. The horseback Johan has his head in the clouds of infatuation.
4 hours ago, ping said:
: "Y'know the liberation army's leader, Seliph? They say he's the rightful heir to Grannvale. I bet we'd all have a much better time with him on the throne if that were true, huh! Here, take this here skill ring. Go on, do your best! We're all behind you!"
A couple problems here:
1. Wait, isn't Shannan the leader of the Liberation Army? The purpose of the Liberation Army, at this point in time, is to liberate Isaach from Grannvalean control. In that context, the rightful heir to the throne - Shannan - makes the most sense as its figurehead. On top of that, he's older than Seliph, and has indirect experience with war. He also has access to the strongest sword in the world... well, starting next chapter.
2. So... how do people know about Seliph? I was under the impression that Oifey and company were trying to keep a low profile, to avoid inciting the wrath of House Dozel. And if word got out further, he'd be at risk from the Lopt Cult. As for Seliph himself, the only people who have met him are those in the Liberation Army - and, at this point, perhaps the residents of Tirnanog. But again, introducing yourself as "the prince of House Chalphy, heir of Naga blood" is certainly one way to put a target on your back.
3. Who actually is the rightful heir to Grannvale? Seliph does have a claim, as the firstborn child of Deirdre, who was herself the daughter of the previous Crown Prince. But Julia also has a claim, as the only inheritor of Major Naga blood, and the only person in the world who can read the Book of Naga. And so does Julius - he's the son of the union between Arvis and Deirdre, whom Azmur envisioned would succeed him. Truthfully, I think any one of the three have a claim.
4 hours ago, ping said:
: "Prince Shanan is our beacon of hope for Isaach's future. Once he returns with his divine blade, Balmung, in hand... Well, those imperial sods won't stand a chance at all! Every last one of them will be run right out of our great land!"
*takes drink*
Again, how are these random villager NPCs so knowledgeable? Shannan is supposed to be on a secret mission to the Yeet Shrine, to acquire the Balmung. The only people who know about it are his closest allies... oh, and this village bloke. How does he even know that Shannan has left the country? I mean, Harold knew, but... hm, maybe word just travels fast in this country.
4 hours ago, ping said:Schmidt is one of those retreating bosses, so because I killed most of his mooks first, he's going to return to Rivough and grab another group. I don't plan on grinding XP that way, but eh, might as well let it happen here.
Schmidt turns around so fast, you'd think the Liberation Army was led by Erich Honecker!
...In light of my criminally bad sense of humor, I am turning myself over to the Stasi.
For real, though, I hate this dude. Most retreating bosses, you're able to corner or block. Schmidt, though, just outranges all your units, save for Oifey. My last playthrough, I had to fight like four whole Hand Axe squads.
5 hours ago, ping said:
: "Every last citizen of Isaach believes in and trusts Lord Seliph! We owe his family dearly for how his father, long ago, rescued and helped raise our Prince Shanan!"
"Every last one of them", you say?
*takes drink*
4 hours ago, Saint Rubenio said:I think it's just he doesn't get dibs on the awesome axe. It's basically the only thing that makes Lex any good.
I mean, Johanlvier still kinda has dibs on the Brave Axe. He's the only one who can use it, until like chapter 9. Thinking on it now, maybe Johan isn't actually "Lex, but worse", but rather "Lex, but no better, in a world where he can't hope to keep up".
5 hours ago, ping said:Trusting Lewyn?! Pff. As if.
That's the spirit.
4 hours ago, Saint Rubenio said:The curse of permadeath hit him and Oifey really hard.
> Story relevance
> Existing as a unit
> Not causing a game over upon dying
"Pick two of three."
3 hours ago, BrightBow said:No need to take a little comic relief fratricide so seriously.
...seriously, what were they thinking?
Also worth noting that since you did Lex/Ayra, this means that the brothers are Lakche's cousins.
Larcei has three notable suitors, and they're all her cousins. Oof.
...At least these cousins weren't the ones changing her diapers, though.
4 hours ago, BrightBow said:Probably not the best phrasing the translation could have picked.
I mean, you can just kill both.He could've just mentioned that his "incompetent sons failed at this most basic of tasks!" He doesn't need to immediately know that one of them may have turned against him.
Like, seriously, how do people just... know things instantly, when they happened half a country away.
3 hours ago, ping said:Fun fact: The German wikipedia disambiguation page for "Helmut Schmidt" lists 19 people of that name, although some have double names and some aren't important enough to actually have a wikipedia page.
That's surprisingly a lot, until I remembered that "Schmidt" is just "Smith". And "Helmut" is... I dunno, "Harry"? "Herman"? Neither of those are super-common names in America nowadays though, so go figure.
2 hours ago, Saint Rubenio said:Then when Johan joins the rebellion, Johalvier is disgusted that they'd take him in and decides to stick with Dannan and keep working against the child hunts from the inside. Or something like that. It's rather flimsy but it's not as idiotic as it is.
Ooh, that would work pretty well. Perhaps we could've gotten a scene of them arguing beforehand - or maybe Johan waxing poetic, with Johalvier just saying "...I hate you." - to really sell the antipathy between them.
1 hour ago, Interdimensional Observer said:Quick question- how do the Axe Bros even know Larcei????
She's a rebel, the enemy, who has spent her life alongside the Big Rebel (Shannan) and the Little Big Rebel (Seliph). When, where, and how did they get to know each other?
Perhaps they've fought one another beforehand? Either the Dozel Bros broke up a Liberation Army picnic, or maybe the Liberation Army freed some prisoners, and had to fight back the Bros? It's plausible that we'd get the "instantly lovestruck by my sworn enemy" trope.
That said, the game never makes any such incident explicit, so it's all headcanon.
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14 hours ago, Lord_Brand said:
One thing I think would be cool to see, whether in Round 2 or Round 3, would be matches against the original Paper Mario partners - Goombario, Kooper, Bombette, Parakarry, Lady Bow, Watt, Sushie, and Lakilester. There could also be rematches with some Paper Mario bosses. As an extra bonus, these battles could use remixes of music from Paper Mario.
I'm a fan of all these! The Goombella tattles are the double cherries on top.
I was actually thinking that "Round 3" would be something of a "Boss Rush", bringing back bosses from Paper Mario 64 alongside those in TTYD. I've waffled back and forth between keeping them at their original power level, or bumping them up to a more appropriate challenge level. I'm definitely leaning towards the latter now, even if it makes things awkward with the Tattle Log (like, would Hooktail need a second entry?).
That said, I think bringing back the OG partners would fit great in a "Round 2" context. I'm still trying to think of a story to tie it all together. Maybe something with Mr. L? I haven't played Super Paper Mario yet, but I like the idea of giving Luigi an actual story role. Also, his costume is perfect for a "masked fighter" in the Glitz Pit.
On 3/25/2024 at 2:12 PM, Zapp Branniglenn said:Incidentally, I would love to see Sir Swoop in battle finally. He would have made a great candidate for Bonus Optional Party Member as well. Unfortunately, healing yourself when you attack wouldn't be a unique thing to him in TTYD specifically. Flurrie's Lip Lock is absolutely broken. Pierces defense, does more damage than her basic attack, and heals for the full amount so she can continue tanking hits from the front. Like attacking and using a Mushroom in the same turn, and it only costs 3FP. I think it even allows her to damage enemies with spikes on top that she can't normally body slam. Best 3 shine sprites you could spend. Flurrie is also flying, so she'd share in his immunity to Quake attacks, in the rare event an enemy shows up with that item.
Since Sir Swoop is a basic Swooper, he can't actually drain HP. If he were made a partner, though, he'd probably have such a move. That's actually another thread I had in mind - coming up with an "Eighth Partner" for the TTYD remake.
On 3/25/2024 at 9:14 AM, Jotari said:Mr L, why not? Fuck it, throw Mallow and Geno and some Super Star characters in there.
...Oh, so that's where I got the idea from.
Aren't Geno and Mallow owned by Square Enix or something?
Anyway, uh... what game is "Super Star"? "Mario Party Superstars"? "Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga"? "Super Mario All-Stars"? "Kirby Super Star"? "Mario Kart: Super Circuit"? "Paper Mario: Sticker Star"? Did I miss anything?
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10 hours ago, Interdimensional Observer said:
presume Darna is actually an unexplained independent city-state. Reliant somewhat on trade, and heavily on religious tourism aka "pilgrimage" to what is likely the holiest site in Jugdral that everybody or at least most people recognize (the Crusader faith being international, whereas local deities are just that). And it's that holiness plus location in the desert that guarantees Darna's independence.
That would make sense. At first I was thinking "Grannvale has the most Crusader lineages, so of course they'd want to control Darna". But then again, almost half of the lines settled outside of Grannvale. So they let it exist as an independent religious polity. By violating that neutrality, Isaach (via Rivough) became a threat. Hence the war.
...Wait. Suppose Manfroy orchestrated the invasion of Darna. And we know Sandima was advising the King of Verdane. Did Manfroy intentionally start two wars in order to get Sigurd to flush out the girl with dark dragon blood from the forest that was protecting her? Was this intended to be some 4D chess mastery?
11 hours ago, Interdimensional Observer said:Sophara does look pretty defensible. -But then centrality and defensibility often aren't the determinants for a capital. Washington DC once was fairly central -but how often does being coastal help with defense instead of hurt it? Capitals naturally attract commerce yeah, but it's also been the norm to place them where commerce already thrives.
Thinking on it, being surrounded by mountains might actually be a disadvantage. If flying enemies swoop in from Silesse or Thracia, then your forces become trapped like rats. And you can only expect aid from one direction. Obviously ballistae can ameliorate this issue, but that's true if you're on an empty plain, too.
Now, I could understand literally putting your capital atop the mountains, for the avoid boost it'll give your defenders. But in a valley, surrounded by mountains on three sides? You're just asking to have wyverns ruin your day.
13 hours ago, Jotari said:Galzus is far too bad ass to be prologue fodder, though a boss for that first wave wouldn't be without merit. And since I deem Galzus too impresive, I nominate Shiva, another blackhaired sword fighter. What's funny about him is that we know where's from, a place called Savan...which doesn't seem to be anywhere on the Jugdral map and is only mentioned once by Shiva and one in his character ending.
Shiva would be cool to see here, as he definitely gives off an Isaachian vibe. The Killing Edge doesn't exist yet, but we can compensate by giving him the Critical skill. Instant utility for Nihil on the Sword Twins!
13 hours ago, Jotari said:An enemy seizure is fine. Just...don't give them anything to seize for a game over. As I said, they never actually go for your castle in this chapter. And if one absolutely needs to exist in some form, then either make the aforementioned church tile count or, if it needs to be roughly castle shaped, stick it on a load of sea tiles that the enemy can never get to. The Return staff though...yeah, that might be a tad bit harder to code around, especially since it auto puts you inside a castle to ensure it's not putting a character to an already occupied space.
Perhaps in the remake, they could dustinguish between various sizes of Castle? Tirnanog could have a small one, as could Orgahill and Yied. Most would be medium, while national capitals - like Augusty and Belhalla - would have particularly large ones. I don't envision a real gameplay difference, outside of maybe impacting how many tiles they take up on the world map.
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12 hours ago, Jotari said:
Beginning this chapter with Seliph and friends deployed already around a church tile would be more than satisfactory for gameplay and plot.
I think it's just a matter of "where would the Return Staff send you?" and "what enemy seizure would be a Game Over confition?" The Return Staff always sends its target to the home castle. Likewise, an enemy seizing the home castle causes a game over. They might not be able to suspend those conditions, even for one map.
11 hours ago, Interdimensional Observer said:It is mentioned by Ayra that Rivough was the one that attacked Darna. Probably without evidence I'm guessing the result of Manfroy's evil manipulation, but as with Agustria, rooted in some kind of internal discontent. And then King Manaan destroyed Rivough (despite marrying his older daughter to Rivough's ruler) before Big Man' had him assassinated. Rivough just so happens to the Issach region bordering the Yied, so it's possible that Grannvale began receiving some kind of assistance from dissenters there even before Issach as a whole was conquered. ...Although we don't know if the King of Rivough's presumed discontent with the King of Greater Issach ran deep among the Rivoughans, or if it was just another Guy At The Top vs. Guy At The Top squabble.
Interesting. Perhaps that's why Dannan rules from Rivough, rather than the traditional capital of Isaach? Maybe the citizenry would be slightly more amenable there. Although, I wonder - why did Rivough attack Dahna? If their grievance was with Mananananana, I don't see how attacking Grannvale helps.
12 hours ago, Jotari said:Harold and Schmidt might be from Isaach. At least, if we're to get that remake they should receive redesigns that make them look like they're from Isaach (they do both wield axes though).
Since Schmidt looks identical to Slayder, I'm assuming that he's Slayder's son. Or maybe nephew.
As for Harold, he could be from Isaach... or Augustria... or Silesse... or Thracia... it's a pretty common mug!
11 hours ago, Jotari said:Galzus is said to hate Isaach and is collaborating with the Empire in Thracia 776, though he is the prince of Rivough so might just be a guy at the top situation. Though...coming to think of it, why does the empire have Galzus working as a mercenary in Thracia. Why not install him as a puppet ruler in Isaach? Are they afraid he'd grow too powerful and popular? Because given his rough personality type, the idea of him charming people and stirring up rebellion is pretty funny. Hell the idea of him just living in a castle and having servants and stuff at all seems like it'd be at odds with his whole tough guy schitck.
New idea: replace Harold with Galzus in the remake. Surely he's not too strong to be the first boss faced by Seliph, right?
On a side note, it'd be nice to see an explicitly Isaachian Myrmidon miniboss leading the first charge to Tirnanog. Maybe the Sword Twins would get a battle conversation with him. Of course, if he doesn't fight for the Empire, his family dies.
4 hours ago, ping said:Oh my god
Serious downgrade in Project Naga.
Along with losing "Arvis! You dastard!"
Project Naga is literally unplayable.
12 hours ago, Jotari said:Also, looking at this line again it also destroys my theory that Lewyn was hiding Julia in Orgahil. So what was he doing there?
Uh... beach episode?
12 hours ago, RPGuy96 said:I 100% forgot that you can get the Brave Axe in (the first chapter of!) Gen 2, I guess that's how much of an impression the axe bros made on me. I do think Lex isn't super special without the Brave Axe - since he can't double without it, he can't really OHKO things, so he's more like Alec and Noishe, albeit with better def and much faster leveling. I've never skipped the Brave Axe event, though, so maybe I'm underrating him.
I missed the Brave Axe my first playthrough, and Lex was still one of my best units. The key is, Defense is actually a super important stat in this game. Even if Lex isn't hitting as often or as reliably as Alec and Finn, he's taking hits far better than they do. Pretty obvious frontliner, alongside Quan and Sigurd.
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Okay, so it's an RIP to Star Fox fans-
10 hours ago, Perkilator said:- Fox (Starlink: Battle for Atlas)
- Falco (Starlink: Battle for Atlas)
Wait, since Starlink is an Ubisoft game, does that mean Fox & Falco are third-party characters now?
10 hours ago, Perkilator said:- Pikachu (Pokémon)
- Pokémon Trainer (Pokémon)
- Mewtwo (Pokémon)
- Lucario (Pokémon)
- Greninja (Pokémon)
- Incineroar (Pokémon)
- Gholdengo (Pokémon)
"Pokémon"? Which one? We've had quite a few of them on the Switch, but none just named "Pokémon".
Also, Greninja and Incineroar are odd picks, when their debut games were on the 3DS. My picks would be Hisuian Decidueye (from Legends Arceus) and Cinderacci (from Sword & Shield). I do like the Gholdengo pick. Lucario works with BDSP, Mewtwo and Pokemon Trainer (based on Chase/Elaine, maybe?) would work via Let's Go, and Pikachu is... yeah the series mascot.
10 hours ago, Perkilator said:Marth (Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light)
Saying "no NSO games allowed", but justifying Marth's appearance off of a game that was NSO in Japan, seems a bit flimsy. Sure, he has a case to get in via Engage, as he was the most important Emblem there. Definitely moreso than Ike.
4 hours ago, Zapp Branniglenn said:Rabbid Peach (Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope)
The idea of Rabbid Peach making it in over human (?) Peach is honestly comedy gold. A+.
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4 hours ago, ping said:
I can offer these - all done, I believe, when Toothpaste-chan was confirmed to be real.
Oh, these... these are beautiful.
4 hours ago, ping said:However, one last hope remains for Isaach. Tirnanog, an isolated village in Isaach's far north...
Interesting that Tirnanog is called an "isolated village", when they have their own castle. Perhaps it's just a design limitation, wherein the player's army has to start in a castle?
4 hours ago, ping said:: "I cannot permit that, Lana! A cleric such as yourself is ill suited for such a battlefield."
RIP "Nuns and warfare do NOT mix!"
4 hours ago, ping said:Midir as a father obviously isn't the greatest for Lana, leaving her with a worse Mag base than Aideen (13) and basically the same growth rate (30%). However, inheritance makes sure that she starts with (almost) all the good staves, so that lower Mag stat doesn't matter quite as much. Honestly, item inheritance seems the main reason why Lana is better than her substitute at all.
Yeah, even the worst Lana (uh, Chulainn!Lana I guess?) will be better than the best Mana. Getting stacked with Staves from the get-go is a huge deal, especially when she can't Arena her way into buying anything.
4 hours ago, ping said:
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Speaking of Roger-Roger - any preferences? I honestly don't care too much - if I recall, Johan doesn't really have the same power that Lex had, while Johalvier has better combat (well, I don't have to "recall" anything here, the base stats are right there) but the bad ol' "No Horse" syndrome.
Interestingly, in at least two regards, the brothers are "convergent". Johan has a much better Speed growth, while Johalvier's Skill growth is superior. Not that either stat is super-important to them, as they can neither double nor crit. That said, Johalvier will always be slightly ahead in HP, Strength, and Defense, while the other stats... who even cares?
Between the two of them... yeah, I'll go to bat for Johalvier. He's the only playable Axe infantry in the game, and one of a handful of units to gain access to the Bow Arena. With Johan, you get "Lex, but worse". With Johalvier, you get something entirely unique and novel. The higher movement and Cantoer that comes from having a horse? Who needs it! At the end of the day, though, either one is usable. Not great, not even "good", really, but perfectly usable.
4 hours ago, ping said:
We also can take a look at King Dannan already - pretty significant increase in power compared to his lackeys (or his sons). If only we had somebody with a weapon that deals a lot of damage against armoured units...
Dannan's presence makes a big statement about the "power creep" in Gen II. He's basically on-par with Chapter 3 Chagall (also a level 25 Baron), but Chagall shows up halfway through the generation, rather than in the very first chapter.
4 hours ago, ping said:That said, Oifey does seem very competent, with his stand-out bases being his Def and (to a lesser extend; Paladin has a class base of 5) Mag. His growths are reminiscent of gen 1 characters - almost identical to Alec if he had minor Baldur blood himself, actually - so I still expect child characters with their inflated growths to surpass him eventually, but maybe this is a BlaBla!Marcus situation that Oifey finds himself in. Just not a Seth situation.
Me, hyping up Oifey to non-FE4 players: "You don't understand! This guy is so good, he can double AND crit!"
I like the BlaBla-Marcus comparison. That sounds about right. Legit the best unit in your army when you get him, and pretty much always relevant. As for later on, I'll let you be the judge of his performance.
4 hours ago, ping said:
And strangely, one of the Bow Armours goes after Mr "17 Def". Hm. AI being random once again. The other one went after Ulster, so that's some more XP for the twins.
"That wasn't very Clever-Mode of you, kid."
4 hours ago, ping said:: "Since then I've been looking after her in a hidden little corner of Silesse, at least until we had to get out a while back as the Empire set about tightening its grip. The thing is, I've got things that need doing over in Leonster, and at this point she's just slowing me down.
Oh boy, I can't wait for Lewyn to totally be involved and relevant in all the stuff that's happening in Thracia around the year 776!
4 hours ago, ping said:
__
: "But I could never lay so much as a finger on Larcei, even if she is among my foes... Ahh... What a dilemma standing before me..."
At first, this sounds like a morally conflicted statement. But it's actually a subtle acknowledgement of the weapon triangle, and the relative merits of their weapon types. The brothers can't fight Larcei, not for lack of trying, but because their Hit rate is too low.
4 hours ago, Saint Rubenio said:For the record, there's a way to get both. They're gotten when you seize whichever castle turns on you when you recruit one of the brothers. The others turn green, so you can't seize the castle... Unless a certain group of enemies seize it, then you can seize it back from them and get Julia both her tomes. I believe that's how it went? Your call if that's too tedious to do or not.
Yeah, it's pretty easy to recruit either brother and still have Isaach Castle turn red. Since it's poorly-guarded, and directly between Rivough and your own army. Either way, you definitely want to retake Isaach Castle for the Nosferatu. Aura weighs Julia down so much that she literally gets doubled by Fenrir Dark Bishops. Yes, somehow, Aura and Fenrir both have 20 Weight.
...I am curious: has anyone actually gotten both tomes before? I know that it's possible to get both castles to turn red, and then re-Seize them. But does that actually enable Seliph and Julia to have the same conversation twice? I assumed that, once you have the conversation, it won't happen again. Hm, might be a thing to try in my current playthrough...
4 hours ago, RPGuy96 said:They both suck - Lex is good because of the Brave Axe (and to a lesser extent Paragon and minor Neir), but he died with it, presumably. I don't care which one you get, just make sure that...
Not a strong case here. Lex doesn't get the Brave Axe until basically the end of chapter 1, and he's still pretty good before that. If he died with it, the game doesn't seem to acknowledge it, because Schmidt drops the very same Brave Axe before the chapter ends. I like to challenge myself to have Johan or Johalvier land the finishing blow, so they don't have to buy it. No, the only thing Johan doesn't have, that Lex does, is Paragon. That, and blue hair.
3 hours ago, BrightBow said:He is obviously never going to use that Thief Sword. Though I suppose it would it would be a fun troll move if he did. For the record, enemies can in fact steal from you. Don't let the fact that you fought a Thief Fighter in Chapter 5 lure you into a false sense of security. It just that it won't work in the arena.
Enemy Thieves are super underutilized in this game. I think you only fight, like, one of them in the field. It's Radiant Dawn, all over again, for the very first time. At the very least, the Orgahill Pirate Squad should've included a couple Thieves among their ranks.
3 hours ago, ping said:Geez, the sword twin substitutes really have it rough. I've seen that Creidne has an obscure event to improve her stats, but they overall seem especially bad compared to their counterparts. Larcei and Ulster are even among the easiest kids to find a good dad for, since they both basically want the same things.
They were one of the cases where I gave a "C" grade - the worst possible - to the notion of leaving the mother unpaired. Ayra could marry a plank of wood, and the resulting kids would be better (in gameplay) than Creidne and Croddleban. Even a plank of wood wouldn't take their Nihil and Astra away.
3 hours ago, ping said:Yeah, you're right about that. I'd even say that especially the most illegitimate of dynasties are going to be desperate to convince everyone that their being on top is the correct order of being. If it's consensus that the head honcho is only the head honcho because he happened to win a power struggle, that's basically an open invitation for anybody with the means necessary to reopen that struggle.
I've just been reading a book about the assassination of Reinhard Heydrich, and... ooh, boy, does it make me think. Like, I'm not gonna say that "Grannvale is Nazi Germany, and Isaach is occupied Czechia", or anything exaggerated like that. But it really gave me a stark reminder of the horrors of occupation. An eerie peace founded upon terror.
...Incidentally, thinking of treacherous monsters like Emanuel Moravec and Karel Curda, I feel like there was a missed opportunity. Namely, including Isaachian collaborators. Either motivated by grievances against the old regime, or - more likely - simply the desire to prosper amidst a scene of suffering. Most of the country would be against them, of course, but it's hard to imagine that Dannan wouldn't try to recruit some local muscle. We don't fight any Isaachians, outside of Ayra herself, and... maybe Lamia's crew? She's a Swordmaster with black hair, so I'm assuming she might be Isaachian. It's hard to imagine House Dozel - one that already lost Rango and Slayder's forces, mind you - having enough manpower to not only hold all of Isaach, but also keep their own territory secure, on their own.
1 hour ago, BrightBow said:Arthur is also another case where class matters are a bit different for the substitute. Arthur is a standard mage but Amid is a Wind Mage. Amid also becomes a Mage Fighter instead of a Mage Knight. Only way you get a playable male Mage Fighter in this game.
Amid could've actually been kind of cool, if the game would give him access to Elwind. Even if he had to buy it, like Linda does with Thoron. But it doesn't show up until chapter 9, by which point, Arthur and Tinne can already be promoted. Thus totally undermining his "head start" in Wind magic rank.
...Of course, Lewyn!Arthur would still destroy him entirely, but that's its own story.
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54 minutes ago, Jotari said:
The link in the OP should be working now too, and might function better on mobile.
Yes it does. The day is saved!
Really enjoying this little game. "Player beware, you choose the snare!"
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2 minutes ago, Jotari said:
I did quickly try to fix that missing route mentioned before. Try this backup link
https://jotarijotarison.itch.io/sigurd-dies-at-the-end-back-up
So that works... kind of. It inexplicably forces my phone into landscape mode, and doesn't appear to have any sort of a scroll bar. I can try it on my laptop later, though.
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39 minutes ago, Jotari said:
Can you not play it directly from the browser? If not, try on a different browser perhaps. If that also fails, then here's a direct download link for the html file
What's weird is, it was working for me yesterday. But now I'm having the same issue as the other commenter. Did you make any changes to it in the meantime?
Actually, not exactly the same issue. I'm getting a webpage that looks like the following:
Spoiler<Error>
<Code>AccessDenied</Code>
<Message>Access denied.</Message>
<Details>Anonymous caller does not have storage.objects.get access to the Google Cloud Storage object. Permission 'storage.objects.get' denied on resource (or it may not exist).</Details>
</Error>
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5 hours ago, NinjaHero4265 said:
But for other lacking units, um, Dew is 10 with 99 exp lol~ Sylvia... Okay, to the one person who commented she needs more exp than that, like... How?
Arena'ing, basically. Since the game doesn't spell Miracle out for you, I will. (11 - HP) * 10. This is the Avoid boost provided by Miracle. So, if Sylvia is at 4 HP, she gets an extra 70 Avoid. If she's facing a foe with 70 Hit or less, then she becomes literally untouchable. It may take a while, but she will kill any foe in front of her. I recommend using the Iron Sword, since it's the cheapest to repair.
*Side note: if you get defeated, then go back into the Arena with 1 HP, Miracle won't trigger (although other low-HP skills, like Wrath and Vantage, will). Instead, you need to be clever about it. If a foe does 16 damage to Sylvia, try to go in with 17 health - or just slightly over. That way, you can set up the perfect Miracle scenario.
2 hours ago, Jotari said:and maybe one or two other
The Shield Sword and Knight Band, to be specific.
2 hours ago, NinjaHero4265 said:buh I decided to use Jamke cause... I think they have an ingame conversation and I wanted all my pairings to have an air of canonicty to them lol~
It's definitely not a bad pair. In my opinion, it makes the best possible Febail, thanks to Jamke's growths and skills. It's more a mixed bag for Patty, admittedly. I'd suggest having Jamke pass down an item of value, like the Renewal Band or Knight Band. There's an argument for the Return Ring, too, since Patty shows up in a somewhat tight spot.
On 3/22/2024 at 9:52 PM, Jotari said:Yeah, I know Warp is B rank, but you only need to use one of them. Give Warp to your B rankers and Return to your C rankers. Apply Arena for extra money where necessary (arena exp is just a bonus).
Sorry, I misinterpreted your wording.
On 3/23/2024 at 8:51 PM, Rapier said:For the next run, back on chapter 1, I recommend letting Dew take hits on a forest. He'll almost always dodge and get a good chunk of exp (and money that he can pass to others!).
Worth noting that, if enemies can't hit their target, they just... won't even try. Dew "suffers from success" in this regard, in chapter 1, when placed on a forest tile. Their commander (who can one-shot him) is the sole exception. The others treat him as an obstacle.
...Er, actually, perhaps this is only the case on Clever Mode.
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6 hours ago, Jotari said:
Alright, as promised, the Sigurd Choose Your Own Adventure story
The absolute madlad.
7 hours ago, Saint Rubenio said:If Kaga is dead, how's he posting about the Vestaria remake on twitter?
Checkmate, atheists.
Obviously, he's been possessed by an ancient dragon spirit.
7 hours ago, Saint Rubenio said:Leo is in the closet and is secretly really frustrated that his son is so much more brave and free (and pretty) than he is.
Thus creating a paradox. Leo needs to stay compulsorily heterosexual, or else his son will fade out of existence, Back to the Future style!
...Except nvm the Deeprealms solve this, Babyrealms good actually?
8 hours ago, Saint Rubenio said:And yeah, the game tries to frame it as child abuse, but I know better. Garon gave Corrin their own castle and army of servants because he cared, not because he was an evil man of goo.
TBH I love love love how CQ Corrin's plan boils down to "if my adoptive siblings see Garon as a pile of goo, they'll know he's evil!" Not "if they see Garon turn into a pile of goo, they'll know he's been tricked by those wicked Hoshidans! Who could've predicted a cursed throne that turns any Nohrian who sits upon it into goo?"
So even if Garon were evil, it's not because he's made of goo. Goo is morally neutral.
8 hours ago, Saint Rubenio said:That, and Arvis is often namedropped in the same conversations as Lyon, and... Yeah, no. Arvis wishes he was as good as Lyon.
They're very different. They have superficial similarities, yes, as "prettyboy mages who start friendly, but turn out to be the main antagonist". But how they get there is continents apart.
8 hours ago, Saint Rubenio said:Kind of a Brunnya effect where the concept isn't too bad but then they barely exist so they don't get to capitalize on it much.
"Brunnya? Who's that?"
- Me when I actually use the legendary weapons instead of hording them like some nerd.
5 hours ago, ping said:
Or, if you insist, this one
I am, once again, for the first time, formally requesting pink-haired Leif.
Serious downgrade in Project Naga.
To Become an Elitist [Playlogs FE1-5] [currently playing: Thracia 776]
in NES and SNES Era
Posted
It's like poetry, it rhymes.
Edain carrying Yewfelle everywhere, to give to Briggid, is another funny one. Actually, uh, when did she pick the weapon up? Did she bring it along when kidnapped by Gandolf? If so, the Verdanites would've taken it from her. But if she left it behind at Castle Jungby, then how'd she get it back?
In gameplay, another case is the Brave Lance. If Quan had the Brave Lance from the start of chapter 2, he'd be an absolute nightmare. From there, it's player's choice: give the weapon to Finn to shore up his protege, or let Quan keep the glory to himself.
Well, each point makes a big difference, but only situationally. Going from 15 to 16 AS makes a huge difference against 15 AS enemies, but essentially no difference against 8 AS enemies, or 24 AS enemies.
FE4 effective weaponry moment.
Seriously, these weapons suck. And not in an "oh at least they're cheap" way, given that they're equivalent to the Silvers. And since all they give is a guaranteed crit, you can actually outdamage them with a 50-kill Steel weapon (and a bit of luck... er, skill).
Ooh, nice positioning. It'd be a real shame if they suddenly got 3 extra movement apiece. But what are the odds of that ever happening?
It makes sense that this is a surprise for Seliph - who's never met Eldigan - but as a player, his shock is pretty humorous. On the level of "Ash, Misty, and Brock continuously failing to see through Team Rocket's thin disguises".
Certified Patty Gaming moment.
Easier, yes, but also more time-consuming. It took me 100 hours to complete my last playthrough, and I'm pretty sure about 30 of those hours were the Dancers Miracle'ing their way through the Arena. Laylea at least has a shot to get it over quicker, or die trying.
Getting 20 EXP from Dancing with Lex!Lene is stupidly satisfying, though.
Also the premier cause of death a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away...
"I kidnapped my traitorous sister and incompetent neice and let my wife torture them to build character, AITA?"
This always struck me as odd, but actually, it seems to comport with the "Julia replaces Deirdre and Seliph replaces Sigurd" theory. Deirdre falls for Sigurd instantly, so she'd have no need of love bases or growths with any other man. May as well just leave those values at "0" each.
The remake should have Laylea, in particular, emphasize her higher Strength growth by giving Bramsel a broken nose before she gets sent to the dungeon.